Multiple-deck concentrator.



A. E. WIGGIN. MULTIPLE DECK GONCENTRATOR. APPLICATION FILED APR7, 19131,078,977. Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

6 SHEETSSHEET 1.

IN VENTOIL A. E. WIGGIN.

MULTIPLE DECK CONCENTRATO R.

APPLICATION FILED AFB. 7, 1913 Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR. fllberzf' Wi'yyz'n WITNESSES:

A TTORNE Y.

A. E. WIGGIN.

MULTIPLE DECK CONGENTRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR.7.1913.

1,078,977. Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

6 BHEETB-SHEET 4.

A 'I'TORNEY.

A. E. WIGGIN. v MULTIPLE DECKGONCBNTRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7, 1913.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WITNESSES: /%W Q ATTORNE tinrrs srerss PATENT osricis,

ALBERT E. VIIGGIN, 43F Al'fifi0NIiA, MGNTANA, AbSIGNQE 0F ONE-THIRD TOULYSSES A, GARREI) AND ONE-THIBD T0 FREDERICK LAIST, 30TH OF ANA-EONTDA, EQEGNTANA.

"EE'ILTIPLE-DECK CGNGENTRATQR,

Sgzeeifieation. of Letters Patent.

Anniioation flied. April 7', 1913.

To all whom it may; concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. W'IGGIN, citizen of the United States,residing at Anaconda, in the county of Deerlodge and State of Montana,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Multiple- DeckConcentrators, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart hereof.

My invention has relation to improvements in multiple-deck concentratorsand pulp distributers therefor; and it consists in the novel features ofconstruction more fully set forth in the specification and point. edoutin the claims,

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a middle vertical section taken through theconcentrator, the pulp-fced-pipes if some of'the decks being broken awayor the sake of clearness, certain parts being in elevation; Fig. 2 is ahorizontal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 taken below the bottomdeck; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 takenabove the decloframe; Fig. 4

is a horizontal section (partly broken) on the zig-zag line 4% of Fig. 1taken above the two bottom decks of the series; Fig. 5 is anenlargedmiddle vertical section taken at right angles to the showing in1', of the two upper,decks of the concentrator and their cooperativeparts, the bottom of the distributer and teed-pipes leading therefrombeing in, elevation; (3 is an enlarged radial vertical section takenthrough one of the decks, the said deck being brokeir at an intermediatepoint; Fig. 7 is a bottom plan of a portion of a deck, carts beingremoved to expose the inner reinforcing ex panded metal layer; F 8 is a.front elem: tion of the pulp-distribu -r on an enlar ed scale; Fig. 9 isa side elevation thereof; i0 is a middle vertical section of the distributer-tank showing also the bottom dis charge of the rotatablepulp-hunks and diss. to plan ol: 1

tribuling; pipe; and .Fig. 17. i. the distribntentank.

The present invention is eci: to improvements in rotatable sl itIZltOIS, the main object lilL!" provide a concentrator in which i ii'ythe slinies are disposed vertically over one another, that is to say inrert'icat series and trator, or series of decks composing the same.

The invention further contemplates among the objects sought, the use ofan available pulp distrihuter whereby it is possible to accord to theseveral decks at all times, an equal quantity of pulp, the pubs suppliedto the concentrator being evenly distributed aiinon the several decks.

A furthe o to provide means for maintaining th :even distribution ofpulp among any number of decks operating at any time, irrespective ofthe fact that-one or more decks of the series may be temporarily out ofcommission.

The invo ution possesses further and other features the advantages'ofwhich Will be readily apparent from a detailed descriptioz'i thereofwhich is as follows:-

Referring to the drawings, B'represents a suitable preferably concretefoundation along the top which is disposed a circular track or rail B.At points exterior to and RttUIifOl'l'Il distances from.v vie track aredisposed a series of Vertical structural members 3., 1, carrying alongtheir inner faces suitable discharge launders as shown, the tops of themembers 1 extending to the roof timbers 4 or their equivalents, theparts 1 thus forming a statioi'iary frame or housing for the rotatingconcentratocdecks supported by the track B.

As above stated, the concentrator is composed of of superposed decks D,the con ltillf surfaces of which. are preferablv coni i )Wi'] andcloning down Wm iiy and ly (though a. conoidai a central open lly aboutthe axis I non of openings form ing n. vertical pass, re-way or well W,the concentratorv 7f. niuitlpladeck The concentrating surface of thedeck may be composed 'of any well known material', for examplewood,'linoleum, canvas, rubber, concrete and the like, preference being5 herein shown for concrete. To insure stiffstruction of the kind hereavailed of necessitates a comparatively thin layer of concrete.

The several decks are supported at their peripheries by lugs or brackets5 disposed in superposed horizontal planes on the vertical double-angleor equivalent structural members 6 forming the outer columns of therotatable steel frame with which the decks are identified. In lieu oflugs or brackets any equivalent means may be employed to secure thedecks to the columns. The outer portions of the decks are cut awayforming an recesses r for the reception of the columns 6,

the edge of the plate 0 of the deck being pro- 'vided with a dc endinrim 0' over which the concentrates, sands, and failings discharge intotheir-respective compartments in the outer launder-s 3. The upper endsof the columns 0 are connected to an outer ring 7 which is in turncoupled to an inner ring '1' through a series of radial members orbraces 8. The bottoms of the columns '6 are con- 4e nected to an outerring 9 which is in turn coupled to an inner flanged ring 9. through aseries of radial members 10.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the rotatable steel deck-frameconstructed as here outlined is not only comparatively light but isrigid, the principle of its construction permitting it to be run up toconsiderable height toaccomniodate a reasonable number of decks. In thepresent illustration are shown ten decks, but twenty decks could to theplurality feature of the 'dedks.

the ring 9 and braces 10 are secured forked- IGfldik' be improvised byextending the frame \0 the proper height, any apparatus containing twoormore decks falling within the spirit of my invention so far as it relatles brackets 11 in which are mounted the wheels or rollers 12traversing the track R. In this way the entire concentrator is rotatableabout its vertical axis, the several decks rotating as a unit about saidaxis. The manner of imparting rotation to the (f-Jllttlltl'iltor -isimi'natci-ial, 'the means herein .--hc\vn comprising a motor 3;! theshaft-pinion 1 0f which meshes with a gear wheel it on a parallel shaft-15 which carries a pinion 16 meshingwith a gear wheel 17 on a shaft '18mounted in bearings 19. i The shaft 18 actuates through a worm pinion l8artly obscured by the member 10) a worm-gear 20 carried by a verticalshaft 21 in the bearing 22 the upper end of the said vertical shaftcarrying agrooved pulley 23 from which passes a drive-belt '24 overtheperiphery of, the ring 9'. The driving meche anlSIn is illustratedmore or less conventionally and may be "aried to suit the convenience ofthe operator or to suit conditions. Means for holdingth'e parts rigidthough illustrated in the drawings are not however referred to as theyare mere mechanical expedients to-be changed at pleas ure, theirlocation and construction falling within the purview of the skilledmechanic. It will be seen that by starting the motor, rotation will beimparted to the series of orizo'ntal decks revolving as a unit about acommon vertical axis.

'Re'sting on the foundation B; and paming through the well and runningupward to the roof or overhead timbers A, is a square tower T built ofsteel structural members,

any side of the tower serving as a ladder by which access may be had toany deck D of the series. The tower likewise serves as a means tosupport the feed-launders and in a measure to support thepulp-distributing and wash-water pipes playing over the several decks.Mounted above each deck D, around the central opening 0 thereof, andprefer ably supported by angle-brackets 25 secured to the tower T, arepulp-feed launders or boxes 3 the same being preferably of thecross-section as shown' (having three concentric walls) and-'substantially circular in form, and'open at one end to discharge thepulp onto the deck or table, each launder having disposed across thesame at a convenient point a transverse partition 25 (Fig. 4) closingthe launder at that point, the launder portion exterior tosaid partitionbeing availed ofto receive and discharge the necessary complement ofwash. water for washing down the sands and tailings toward theirrespective compartments t, t. t", 26, into which the launder 31s dividedto receive the va ious products of concentration according to theirgravities, each compartment being provided with a discharge tube 26controlled by a valve V for the discharge of its contents.- As wellunderstood in the art the heaviest concentrates will remain longest onthe concentrating surface from which the are dislodged and washed byspecial water streams intoa special compartment 71 of the launder 3likewise provided with a valvecontrolled discharge pipe 26.

Obviously, the most practical manner of conducting the pulp and water tothe several decks is through the well W. Accordingly I leadthrough saidwell and on the outsnie of the ten T, a series of pulp-feed pxpes'Q? theupper ends ofwhich are coupled by means of unions 28 to the dischargenipdistributor-tank 30 has as many compartments as there are decks D, a)that each co1n pertinent takes careof its own particular deck, thefeed-pipes increasing in length as they approach thebottoin of theconcentrator, the closed bottom of every pipe tenni mating opposite itsrespective deck. From a suitable fitting 31 at the closed end of eaclrpulp-feed- 'pipe there radiate a series of branches 27 the free ends ofwhich dip downwardly and discharge into the launder 3, the pipe 27 beingprovided at a point above the fitting 31 with a gate-valve G or itsequivalent whereby the pulp they be cut.

oil from or turned into the branches and hence opt ofi froin or turnedonto any (lock of the series, access to such valve being had through theinterior of the tower. The branches 27 necessarily out across the spaceon the inside of the tower Figs. 3, 4) but not sufficiently to interferewith the movements of the average size workman, it, being rememberedthat the tower is between two and three feet square.

Passed upwardly through one corner of the tower is a. watenfecd pipe 32supplied with water under pressure from any nvail- :Lble source (notshown) the upper closed end of the pipe terminating above the top deck(Fig. 5) Leading from the pipe 32 set points above each deck arebranches 32, 32" (the branch 32- tapping the branch 32") controlled byvalves 33, 34, respectively, the branch 32 being bentto discharge waterinto the launder 3' outside the partition whereby the water and pulpmingle as they reach the concentrating surface of the (le -3h l), thebranch 32" reaching over the deck between the ends of the feed-lnuncim'(Fig 3 4) and direction forcible jets from no? said jets washing the.heavy concentrates into the conn artment it of the r c The object-0fcourse, is to cause an equal distribution OfPlllPfllDOHg the severaldecks '(listributiov or pulp-appol'iioum the scvcrul \lrchs which ere &

table is to r n s proper proportion of pulp. Po eh. not his equal.distribution among the several I Like the following provision: Mountedin a suitable bearing 36 secured to the timbers A above the fixedconcentrator housing, and on the extension of the axis of the tank 30 isa retatable pulp-intake and distributing pipe 3? terminating at itslower end in an inclined discharge member 37 which sweeps circulsrlyacross the series of the radially disk posed ccnninrtnients 29 of thetank 30,

thereby delivering (assuming the pipe 37 rotates at a uniform speed) anequal proportion of pulp to each compartment, The upper encl ot the pipeterminates in a funnel or i'laring mouth 38 into which. the pulp isconducted from any original source of supply (not shown). The preferredmanner of imparting rotetion to the pipe is 28 follows:--Below he funnelis secur to the pipe 21 bevel pinion 39 which in inc. 1 with a similarpinion so at cm zr -ll of u llUIiZO11- tel shaft ll mounted or the topif the stnuiilurtls 4.2, the opposite eutl of the shaft being providedwith c belt pulley P to which rotation HF!" be imparted from anysuitable source :1 s. cc; (not shown}. As vnto list nilvani u I in rigs.10 LL the 1'; cilgcs of the purlitlces y) semi-sting the compartmentsconverge tower-i c ntral basin which iel cure of the river flow from anycompartment when that com Para 11282:"11712l the deck corr spum'litum-eto are p tcmpornriiy out the closin -oi" the waive l t lending?roin Sllltl co 1 which i discharged iron; the JET: info the con'i'inrtment thus ttinll'fllziz whence it overflows in ii -uni import 1into the remain ng: Cfilll' lii' not cut oil from their l'QI by underall circnimtenees nasu'il ice; siul from u hut has it muse no(lifiercnce whc ion or only a. portion equal pulp upper!inherent resell:the when of the llslYllHl TlHg alone when all .'i4(;l '5 are engagei 1:.

basin 43 when one or more of the ricer. been cut out.

The operation of the R()I1(.(?fii1t0 is substuntiallv 21s followsz 'lhemet-1n hi v branches 32',

the severallaunder of commission by the closing of a valve G,

flow over the remaining decks, will insure the equal distributionthereof among the changes falling within the, purview of the claim isving a series of columns disposed about a said columns, concentratingdecks located in started, rotation is imparted to the series of decks D(see arrow Fig. 4) and-at the same time rotation is imparted to the pipe37 pulp being at the same time discharged thereinto through the funnel38 from any suitable source of supply. The ulp' discharges from theterminal 37' "suc ssively into the various compartments 29 of the tank30, eachcompartment receiving its proper proportion of material, thelatter discharging throughthe pipes 27 onto thefeedlaunders 3' of theseveral decks, whence it runs over the decks mingling with the waterfrom the the various products of coin centration (tailings, sands, andthe like) finding their. way into their respective coinpartinents t,-t-,t", t, of the discharge launders 3. The heavy concentrates are removedby the i water sprays "from the nozzles 35 of the branches-32" asclearly obvious from the drawings, the valves V of compartmentsproviding for the escape of the classified materials." In the event anydeck (or decks) is put out well, pulp-feed launders supported from thetower above the several decks, at points adjacent the well, and meanspulp 'to the several feedrlaundersr 2. .A multiple-deck concentrator comprising a series of columnsidisposed about a upper and lower innerrings, radial braces connectlng the inner rings to their adjacent outerrings, thereby forming a suitable, frame, means forimpartingrotation tosaid frame about the axis aforesaid throng-hone of the inner rings, acircular track disposed ing openings forming a well through the decks, atower in said well, a, series of pulpfeed launders supported from thetower over the inner portions of the decks, an outer rigid stationaryframe, discharge launders secured thereto for receiving the the overflowor excessof pulp ,intended for that deck is caught in the basin 43whence it overflows in 'equal proportionsinto,'the compartments 29identified with the pipes 27 leading to the active decks or those stillin commission, so that under all circumstances is th epulp distributedin equal proportion'ainong' the decks which happento be Workingzt 'irrespective 'of their number. Of oourse,., if the supply of pulp to thefunnel 38 is constant and uniform, the cutting out of any deck, whilecausing more pulp to launders of the individual decks.

ing a series of columns disposed about a fixed vertical axis, 'outerrings coupling the adjacent terminals of the columns, suitable upperandflower inner rings, radial braces connecting the inner rings to theiradjacent outer rings, thereby forininga suitable rigid frame, means forimparting rotationto said frame about the axis aforesaid through one ofthe inner rings, a circular track disposed ,below the outer bottom edgeof the frame, wheels on said frame traveling -on said track, a series ofdecks having outwardly and downwardly sloping concentrating surfacessuperposed with1n the frame and spaced apart, means on the colunns'dispose'd in superposed horizontal' planes for supporting theseveral decks at their outer periphdecks which hap en to be inservice.Access to any of the va ves or decks may always .be had throughthe toweror ladder T positioned .within the well of the concentrator.

The details here shownand described need not of course be adhered to,any desired skilled mechanic being herein contemplated. Having describedmy invention, what I 1. A multiple-deck concentrator coinprisaliningopenings collectively forming a well through the decks, a tower in thewell, pulpfeed launders supported from the tower over the inner portionsof the respective decks, an outer stationary frame, discharge la'underssecured thereto for receiving the discharges from the decks, watenpipeswithin the tower, branch pipes leading therefrom fixed vertical axis,suitable formations disposed in superposed horizontal planes on thespace within the columns and supported at their outer edges on saidformations, the several decks having openings collectively forming acentral well through the decks,

fixed vertical axis, outer rings coupling the ad acent terminals of thecolumns, suitable adjacent the bottom outer ring, a series of 3. Amultiple-deck concentrator compris for supplying 7 disposed in sbrackets, and supported the decks beingprovided with centralalindischarges from the decks, and means within the'well for supplyingpulp to the feederies, the decks being provided with central theconcentrating surfaces of the decks slopthrough the tower anddischarging over the ing outwardly and downwardly toward the decks, andmeans within the well for supsupporting formations aforesaid, an outerplying pulp to the several pulp-feed launders. c I 4. Ina multiple-deckconcentrator, a series of columns disposed circularly about a fixedrigid frame surrounding the decks, discharge launders on said framefor-receiving the material from the decks, a tower-lathe i mfuunm disimsed about a gmabie ,hun'latmns d15- 1:1 :1 imnm a {K1011} mihm the.frame and A lnuhiphe-dwl; concu mg a, series 1? columns C med. about ain-AIR wrticzzi. 9.51:5 snitabkw im'mntium (11 in ship-31'1" d hurizoniai planes ra mr comprismid mlumns, cement taming decks Located in Usespace within the cohmms and supported M their outer ed 'P on saitiformations, th 1 l dpckslnu'nlg openings 00319062111 3 111.11g 1 cenhalwell tln'cugh Hm do aha zronnsentmting surfncua (:5? the Judah sloping:nliatwmwfly and do'wrmm'dly fr 1111 said 0U toward the suppon'ingfmumtions aiuresniG, pu lpai' .l the we, fur summrting sniai pulp-$12M3111111 3213, and mum for supp'iyih ile '"Qwfi-hnn A A muitipla devkcnmmirm in" mm'iprisiuundc'r's, 111 1111; with- (chum U11 1 g .1 dlulutor uompris- ,I H aL-oni :1 "f Fnpm'pused lwmn'i in 2PE1(' wihin the 1mums i'm' rswu'irg the decks t4) said & mum at 0111115 zu 'gm mt flappvriph @395 mi. flue 6 1 .4 (he S new-5,1 dtfclics having opeim'zgsizullectiv forming a cintnfl Yul L'nwuszh the Civcks, t" wnuemmtiug surififlS l'i' the dam M wing nntwzudl v and downwardly from wall hnwml (hep01"! phQLirs of the dm In testimony when-in 1 zzflix my signzalm (a, innesaence of hm wituos-su'e,

ALBERT I \VIGGIN.

\Vi'measvs M um MARTIN, RALPH HA mix.

